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The Guide Pick™ Difference

We’ve spent a lifetime in the mountains. When it comes to gear we won’t compromise. Leveraging the collective knowledge of the RMI Guide Team, we select and direct you to top mountain gear. Guide Pick™ is outfitting simplified.

Step
1

RMI guides work and play on the world’s highest mountains. Their gear is exposed to the most extreme conditions – collectively over 10,000 days of use annually.

Step
2

With almost 70 opinionated guides giving input, complete agreement rarely happens…but alignment does. Our process allows for the best gear in each category.

Step
3

The top products in each category are identified and stamped Guide Pick™. You’ll see this designation on the RMI Equipment Lists, throughout our website and store.

Meet the Guide Team

America’s largest mountain guide service with close to 70 of the world’s top guides. Awarded 2014 Outfitter of the Year by Outside Magazine.

Mountain Logic™

Choosing the Right Ice Axe

"For general mountaineering avoid an axe that’s too long. When the axe is comfortably hanging at your side with your arm straight, the spike of your axe should be right at your ankle bone." - Solveig Waterfall's Guide PickTM pick: Black Diamond Raven Pro

"I personally use an alpine climbing axe on mountains like Denali, Vinson and Everest because you have a choice between an adze and hammer. Also, a slightly shorter axe is beneficial when you get on steeper terrain." - JJ Justmam's Guide PickTM pick: Black Diamond Venom Hammer

The Take Away: For standard routes on Rainier, Denali, Everest and other non-technical climbs, a general mountaineering ice axe provides the ideal balance of weight, features and durability. On steeper routes like West Rib on McKinley and Liberty Ridge on Rainier an alpine axe will be your choice. In general, more technical tools will match more technical routes.